5,538 Households In Cianjur Receive Free Electricity Connection Program

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) through the Directorate General of Electricity has again implemented the Electricity New Installation Assistance (BPBL) program to 5,538 underprivileged households from 29 sub-districts in Cianjur Regency, West Java.

Director of Engineering and the Electricity Environment Mohamad Priharto Dwinugroho revealed that with the BPBL program targeting the poor, it is hoped that the beneficiaries can live more decently and do not depend on neighbors to enjoy electricity through unofficial connections.

Through this program, we hope that the network's follow-up from illegal connections through the withdrawal of cables to neighbors can be reduced. Please note, electricity connection that is not in accordance with the rules of electricity safety is certainly very dangerous," Nugroho said in a statement to the media quoted on Wednesday, September 25.

Nugroho said that by 2024, the beneficiaries of the BPBL Program in West Java have been designated as many as 23,518 households and will continue to be gradually improved until they are in accordance with the target of 25,900 households.

"BPBL has been running since 2022, until 2024, it is targeted that the total target recipients of the BPBL program are 150,000 households throughout Indonesia," he added.

On the same occasion, Deputy Chairman of Commission VII DPR RI Eddy Soeparno conveyed the importance of accessing electricity for the community, and would provide enormous benefits for the community.

"When the house has no electricity and there is already electricity, it is very different. People are more enthusiastic and activities are productive because there is electricity. We hope this program can be sustainable, hopefully in the coming years the number of recipients will be more and distributed to those who are entitled," he said.

Senior Financial Manager of PT PLN (Persero) West Java Distribution Main Unit Herry Ristiawan emphasized PLN's commitment to supporting this program.

"This BPBL program is proof of PLN's commitment to contribute to improving the standard of living of underprivileged people and electricity for a better life," said Herry.

Meanwhile, a resident of Cibodas Village who received BPBL, Nurhasanuddin (36) said he was happy with the provision of this free electricity connection.

"In the past, there was often a lack of electricity, suddenly it died. There was assistance (BPBL), thank God, I was happy because I could use KWh meter myself. It used to be Rp. 200,000 per month because it was used together, now using a subsidy token of Rp. 50,000 can make it a month. You can arrange your own use," he said.